Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I join with the Tánaiste in wishing the families of the victims of the Stardust tragedy all the best today. I happened to be in Dublin that night as well. They have been a long time waiting for justice.

I am questioning the issuing of planning exemptions for telecommunication structures such as masts as per the statutory instrument, class 31, of the Planning and Development Act regulations of 2019. There is an exemption that allows for companies to erect telecommunications masts of 12 m or less in an area with no notice, co-ordination, public warning or consultation with neighbours and landowners. This is an issue that has arisen in the picturesque village of Clogheen, under the Vee, in south Tipperary and it has happened in other areas. Utility workers arrived on site and started preparing the ground to erect this mast and concerned locals contacted my daughter, Councillor Máirín McGrath, and others. Thankfully, the works have not commenced. This is an architectural conservation area, which is not exempt. Companies are running slipshod, sticking up masts and trying to get away under the radar. This exemption needs to be examined so people are not trodden on or interfered with, and they have their rights vindicated.

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